Article Tools

As Israel begins a ground campaign likely to add to a death toll that already exceeds 230 Palestinians, of which 80 percent are civilians, the public should ask if Israel’s response is proportional to the crimes committed. When Israel can mistakenly kill two disabled girls or misidentify a group of Palestinian boys as terrorists, the United States should ask whether the $3 billion given to Israel in military aid is appropriate.

Israel has committed crimes to such a degree that we should not distinguish between incompetence and malice. Palestine remains on a lifeline that Israel is threatening to cut by stopping the most basic supplies reaching Gaza. This is illustrated by Israeli airstrikes that have left 1.8 million Palestinians facing an “imminent water crisis,” according to Al Jazeera. The ongoing ground invasion can only magnify the intensity of the crisis; two municipal water workers were killed while they attempted to fix broken pipelines.Countless families must travel miles to find available water sources.

On September 23, 2003, the Guardian reported that 27 Israeli pilots refused to fly “track and kill” missions over Gaza and the West Bank. They stated, “We, veteran pilots and active pilots alike … are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks, of the type carried out by Israel in the territories.” Perhaps now is the time to heed this prescient advice and ask Israel to adhere to the restraint that it asks of the Palestinians.

Hamas fired dozens if rockets a day into Israel, for 7 days, before Israel began firing back.

Hamas is deliberately trying to kill civilians, which is a war crime.

Hamas is firing rockets and shelling Israel from behind human shields (Mosque's, homes, etc) which is a war crime.

No one is talking about Hamas war crimes or Israel's restraint for 7 days before staring to defend itself.

Israel texts and calls Gaza residents to warn them to evacuate before bombing.

Hamas calls for the destruction of Israel. Israel does not call for the destruction of Palestine.

Hamas declined a Egypt brokered cease fire, Israel did not.

So I guess it's just super cool and fun these days to be anti-Israeli while Palestinians cheer and celebrate the death of four young Jewish men and the mother of one of the Palestinian suspects is on TV saying she is proud of her son if he in fact did the crime.

You are unaware of the wider context, realitycheck. It is not as simple as you imagine. I support the right of Israeli to exist, I have worked there, wonderful people live there, Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs. In the current situation exactly 3 Israelis have been killed (both right at the Gaza strip line), and no rockets have hit Tel Aviv (several shot down). The IDF has killed over 220 Gazans, including at least 65 children -- read this: 65 children, and have wounded over 2000. Get a grip and evolve your views!How wonderful the Jewish Voice for Peace is speaking out (see other letter), I honor them.No honor to Netanyahu, his vicious Foreign Minister Lieberman (a criminal), and those Israelis who refuse to even discuss withdrawing from Israel's ILLEGAL COLONIES (incorrectly labeled "settlements") in the West Bank. Withdraw to the 1967 line after negotiations.

2. I agree that Israel's 1967 action (striking first and taking the West Bank because they were "certain" there was about to be an attack) creates illegitimacy around Israeli ownership and control of the West Bank and especially settlements. If they had waited for a few Jordanian tanks to roll across, then their control of the West Bank would be less of an issue.

3. If you don't want a well organized and highly militarized nation to kill your civilians then *stop firing up to 100 rockets a day" at their civilians. That's one sure fire way to protect children.

It is clear to me DrDan that the militant wing of Hamas has no care in the world for the consequences of their actions on the children around their rocket launchers. Further, their actions are considered war crimes by the UN... but it's uncool to talk about that. Better to bash and slam Israel - more fun and trendy these days.

This whole issue will NEVER be resolved as both violently HATE the each other to the point of either starting a conflict or carrying it on in the Name of God; the same God they pray to everyday to destroy the other and yet their prayers never get answered. While the rest of the world can see their stupidity, the two only see blood and that is why this issue will continue till both are eradicated forever.It does neither side any good to Elect leaders of Groups that support this hunger to continue the Blood Feud but that would take forethought and intelligence, and that is in very short supply...

Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Congress in 2012 and received 29 standing ovations. That represents unqualified support of anything Israel has done or will do in the future. Our government is their puppet and the Israelis will decide what is "appropriate".

With Stanley Fischer (Israeli and self-proclaimed zionist) at the Federal Reserve, Israel controls the entire US money supply and therefor controls the government. As US citizens we can do nothing but watch as war unfolds. It does no good to excoriate either side. Karma will unfold on it's own.